Fugro has commenced a program of geophysical and geotechnical surveys for Artelia, Abu Dhabi as part of the Hail and Ghasha development, the company said on Jan. 18.

Located offshore in the Arabian Gulf, the Hail and Ghasha gas development is for Abu Dhabi National Oil Company’s (ADNOC) largest sour gas field project and directly supports the company’s strategy to unlock its developed sour gas reserves to ensure a sustainable and economic gas supply to the United Arab Emirates.

Fugro’s ability to provide turnkey survey solutions was a key factor in the award of the contract following a highly competitive bidding process, the company said in a statement.

In order to meet the fast track schedule Fugro mobilized to the Ghasha Field with specialized equipment including self-elevating platforms for geotechnical work and crew accommodation.

In the Hail Field, an inter-tidal shoal area, it is conducting surveys with amphibious buggies while in deeper water, marine geophysical and bathymetric surveys are being performed using its state-of-the-art survey vessel, Fugro Proteus.

“We’re meeting the requirements of this key project with our expertise in both geotechnical site investigation and marine survey,” Chris Arnott, Fugro’s project delivery manager, said.

“The geotechnical work scope includes boreholes, grab samples, vibrocores, cone penetration tests, pressure meters and down hole seismic.”

Bathymetric, multibeam echo sounder, tide gauges, ultra-high resolution seismic sub-bottom profiling, magnetometer and side scan sonar make up the geophysical survey activities at the site.

“Our involvement in this strategic project for the United Arab Emirates further strengthens Fugro’s relationship with ADNOC,” Louis Burnard, Fugro’s country manager, UAE said.

“It follows more than 30 years of collaboration across [the company’s entire] subsidiary operating companies in Abu Dhabi,” Burnard added.

Offshore